Buccaneers

The New England Patriots still aren’t playing like an elite NFL team, but getting a 20-point win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday is a step in the right direction. If the team continues to improve, then next week’s game in Atlanta against a tough Falcons team should be very competitive.

In the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the New England Patriots are facing their third weak opponent in a row to open the 2013 season. They won’t be facing a rookie quarterback this time around, but Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman is not exactly playing like a veteran.

When incumbent New York Jets starting quarterback Mark Sanchez fell to a preseason injury, many naysayers were convinced that second round draft pick Geno Smith wasn’t ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Much to their surprise, he goes into Week Two’s game against the New England Patriots with a 1-0 record.